The iodine-free diet is usually made during the treatment of thyroid cancer and should be started about two weeks before iodine therapy. Some foods that should be avoided until the end of treatment with radioactive iodine are saltwater fish, seafood and egg yolk.
Restriction of iodine in the diet is necessary so that thyroid cells, including tumor cells, that may have remained in the body after surgery, become eager for iodine. Thus, when radioactive iodine, or iodine 131, enters the body, the malignant cells absorb a lot of iodine and eventually die, thus completing the treatment of the disease.
Prohibited Foods
Foods prohibited during iodine treatment are those that are high in iodine, containing more than 20 micrograms of iodine per serving, such as:
- Iodized salt, it is necessary to look at the label to be sure that the salt does not contain added iodine;
- Processed snack foods ;
- Saltwater fish and seaweed, including seaweed that comes with sushi;
- Seafood such as shrimp, lobster, seafood, oyster, squid, octopus, crab;
- Food additives of sea origin, such as carrageenans, agar-agar, algine, sodium alginate, nori;
- Processed meat such as ham, turkey breast, mortadella, sausage, sausage, beef, bacon;
- Soybeans and by-products such as tofu, soy milk, soy sauce;
- Egg yolk, egg- based sauces, salad dressings, mayonnaise;
- Hydrogenated fat and processed products with it, such as biscuits and cakes ready;
- Vegetable oils of soybean, coconut, oil palm, peanut;
- Seasonings in cubes, ketchup, mustard, English sauce;
- Milk and dairy products such as yogurt, cottage cheese, cheeses in general, butter, sour cream, whey protein, casein and foods containing milk products;
- Sweets containing milk or egg yolk;
- Pasta: bread, cheese bread, bakery products that usually carry salt or egg, biscuits and toast containing salt or eggs, filled biscuits and breakfast cereals;
- Canned fruit or in syrup and juice powder or industrialized;
- Vegetables : watercress, celery, brussels sprouts, cabbage and canned, such as olives, palm hearts, pickles, corn and peas;
- Beverages : maté tea, green tea, black tea, instant or soluble coffee and cola-based soft drinks;
- Dyes: avoid industrialized foods, pills and capsules in the colors red, orange and brown.
These foods will not be banned for life, only during the treatment of the disease.
Moderate consumer food
These foods contain a moderate level of iodine, ranging from 5 to 20 micrograms per serving.
- Fresh meat: up to 170g per day of meat such as chicken, beef, pork, sheep and veal;
- Grains and cereals : bread without salt, toast without salt, wafer of water and flour, pasta without egg, rice, oats, barley, flour, corn and wheat. These foods should be limited to 4 servings per day, each serving about 2 sticks of pasta or 1 loaf per day;
- Rice: 4 servings of rice per day are also allowed, Basmati rice being the best variation. Each serving has about 4 tablespoons of rice.
The content and iodine in these various foods according to the place of cultivation and the way of preparation for consumption, it being always more advantage to cook and produce meals at home instead of eating out or buying the food already ready in the supermarket.
Pets Allowed
To replace the prohibited foods during the treatment of iodine therapy, one should prefer the consumption of the following foods:
- Non-iodized salt ;
- Freshwater fish ;
- Egg white ;
- Legumes : beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas;
- Fats : corn oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, unsalted margarine;
- Sweets : sugar, honey, jelly, gelatin, candies and ice creams from fruit without red dye;
- Seasonings : garlic, pepper, onion, parsley, chives and natural herbs fresh or dehydrated;
- Fresh, dried fruits or natural juices, other than maraschino cherries;
- Beverages : coffees and non-instant teas, soft drinks without red dye # 3;
- Homemade popcorn without salt.
These foods are those that can be consumed in the two weeks preceding the treatment of iodine therapy, or according to the time recommended by the doctor.
Diet menu without iodine
The following table provides an example of a 3-day menu of the preparation diet for iodine therapy:
| Meal | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
| Breakfast | filter coffee + 1 tapioca with chicken | 1 cup coffee filter + couscous with ground beef | oatmeal made with almond milk |
| Morning snack | 1 kneaded or cooked fruit + 1 tablespoon of oatmeal | 1 glass of green juice | 1 fruit + 10 cashew nuts |
| Lunch dinner | 4 coleslaw + 2 coleslaw + chicken in the homemade tomato sauce + lettuce, tomato and carrot salad | sautéed vegetables - eggplant, spinach, tomato, broccoli, peppers, tomatoes, onions - seasoned with olive oil, oregano and non-iodized salt | fish (from river) to the oven with olive oil and roasted potatoes or noodles of Tati zucchini with tomato and oregano or basil |
| Afternoon snack | 1 glass of mango juice + sweet sprinkles biscuit (without salt) | Papaya vitamin made with coconut milk | Avocado made with oat milk and honey |
In addition to food care, in the course of preparation for treatment, it is also necessary to avoid some medicines containing iodine and cosmetic products such as nail polish, hair dye and suntan lotions. See more about the other care and effects of radioactive iodine in the body.
Check out these and other tips in the following video:
